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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Butler County
Butler County sits within the Western Allegheny Plateau (MLRA 124) region. Elevation averages about 1,160 feet.
Temperatures in Butler County range from a January mean low of 19°F to a July mean high near 83°F. Annual precipitation averages 43.3 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Butler County ran 903 farms, 132,809 acres of farmland, and 4,489 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, milk, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Western Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Dairy, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Butler County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
625 Evans City Rd, Butler, PA 16001
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Butler County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 9% of farmland in Butler County, about 12,362 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Butler County
Farms in Butler County average 147 acres, and about 25% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 270 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Butler County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Butler County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Butler County Operations
Based on Butler County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs support pasture improvement and rotational grazing systems for livestock operations. Emphasis on water quality protection for tributaries feeding into major river systems and sustainable dairy management practices.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Butler County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Pennsylvania guide: Pennsylvania Farm Programs Guide
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